Deer Management & Ecosystem Restoration at 
Georgia~s 
State Parks 
STATE PARKS & HISTORIC SITES . 
 
 Georgia State Parks Mission 
To protect our state's natural beauty 
and historic integrity while providing 
opportunities for public enjoyment 
and education. 
Maintaining a Healthy Ecosystem 
Maintaining a healthy ecosystem is an overriding goal of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a guiding principle of the State Parks and Historic Sites Division. A healthy ecosystem contains a variety of plants and animals naturally found in its region. All of these exist in the dynamic balance sometimes referred to as the "web of life." 
White-tailed deer are an enjoyable sight at nearly all of Georgia's state parks. Visitors have traditionally valued the opportunity to view deer, other wildlife, wildflowers, and the natural beauty of the park. However, the deer population at some parks exists in unnaturally high numbers, resulting in over-browsing that is severely impacting plants needed by other wildlife. In some places, deer have damaged their environment so much that their own health is damaged. 
These unnaturally high deer numbers impact the ability of the Parks & Historic Sites Division to fulfill its mission. As a result, the division has recommitted itself to restoring healthy ecosystems in these areas and establishing a new deer management system that will maintain them. 
 
Their Impact 
An overabundant deer population can destroy entire plant communities. Deer have a voracious appetite, eating a wide variety of wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, nuts and fruits. As a result, they have the potential to severely alter natural habitats. This affects the ability of forests to regenerate, eliminates habitat for other wildlife and creates an unhealthy herd. 
In some areas, most prominently Red Top Mountain State Park, deer have over-browsed entire layers of vegetation within their reach. When plants are eliminated, so are the animals that depend on them for food or cover. To make matters worse, deer forage along roadsides, causing dangerous deer-vehicle collisions. 
How Many is Too Many? 
Obviously, we want to continue to have deer in our parks. They are a favorite of visitors as well as park rangers. There comes a point, however, when their numbers threaten the existence of plants on which deer and other species feed. Most biologists agree that natural forests are maintained when there are 20 to 25 deer per square mile. A few state parks are thought to have as many as 80 to 100 deer per square mile! 
In 2003, dte DNR partnered with the University of Georgia to study deer herd management at Red Top Mountain State Park. Deer exclosures were erected to gather data about plants and animals within the park. Deer cannot enter these fenced areas, but most other plant eaters can. Preliminary results showed that nearly half the native plant species expected at dte park are no longer there. Professional marksmen were used to thin much of the herd, and biologists studied the deer, determining that most were underweight and in fair or poor health. 
 
How to Meet The Challenge? 
Municipalities, nature centers and numerous state agencies have had to deal with the difficult question of what to do with too many deer. Repeatedly, lethal removal has been chosen as the best course of action since it is effective, efficient, humane and cost effective. This has been the method of choice of numerous agencies across the country. 
Based on knowledge from the scientific community and studies of how other agencies are handling similar situations, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has concluded that reducing deer numbers is the only way to avoid further damage to ecosystems. It is a difficult decision, but one that provides the most humane, practical and ecologically sound method of restoring our natural resources. 
As a result, the DNR has implemented a new deer management system with quota hunting as the preferred method of thinning herds. Initially, this plan will be used at Hard Labor Creek (in Rutledge), Red Top Mountain (in Cartersville) and Richard B. Russell (in Elberton) state parks. Additional parks may adopt this method as the need arises. At Red Top Mountain, in areas where hunting is not feasible due to safety concerns and other issues, the state will use hunting as well as professional marksmen. Dates for these hunts will be announced in the "2005-2006 Hunting Seasons and Regulations" booklet produced by the DNR. For the safety of park visitors, hunted areas will be closed to the public during these dates. Biologists and state park leaders emphasize that these quota hunts are being used specifically for biodiversity management and not for recreation. 
 
 Conclusion 
Deer will always be a favorite sight in Georgia's state parks. This new, balanced management program will allow visitors to watch deer while the natural diversity of plants and animals are restored within the parks. It is that rich, diverse and healthy ecosystem from which all future generations, and the deer, will benefit. 
Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Parks & Historic Sites Division 
2 Martin Luther King Jr. , Drive, Suite 1352 East Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-3530 
www.gastateparks.org 
12/04